As April approaches, families in Italy eagerly await the payment of the Assegno Unico, a monthly allowance designed to support households with dependent children. However, this month brings a unique twist: Easter and Easter Monday fall on April 20 and 21, respectively, coinciding with the usual payment schedule. This raises the question: will the funds arrive early or will payments be delayed?
According to the INPS (Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale) calendar, payments for beneficiaries without any variations in their ISEE (Indicatore della Situazione Economica Equivalente), family composition, or amounts are scheduled to begin on the 20th of each month until June 2025. However, since April 20 is a Sunday and April 21 is a public holiday, it is expected that payments will likely be postponed until Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
In previous months, some recipients have received their Assegno Unico payments earlier than the scheduled dates. For instance, in March, many beneficiaries saw their payments credited ahead of time. Therefore, it remains possible that some families might receive their allowances as early as Friday, April 18, or Saturday, April 19, just before the Easter weekend.
Moreover, there is speculation that the INPS may implement a general advance payment to assist families and ensure liquidity before the extended holiday period. However, as of now, there are no official confirmations regarding this potential early disbursement.
For those who submitted new applications in March, updated their ISEE, or modified their family composition, the payments will follow the usual timeline and are expected towards the end of April.
In terms of the Assegno Unico itself, the payment structure has undergone some adjustments. Starting February 1, 2025, the amount of the Assegno Unico was increased by 0.8% to account for inflation. The minimum allowance has been set at €57.45 per month, while the maximum can reach up to €200.99 for each child, depending on the family's ISEE.
The Assegno Unico Universale (AUU) is designed to provide monthly financial support based on the ISEE value. Beneficiaries who were already active received their payments between April 16 and April 18, 2025. Those who submitted modifications or new applications in December will see their payments arrive towards the end of the month.
In addition to the payment schedule, there are significant changes regarding how the ISEE is calculated. As of April 3, 2025, government bonds, postal savings bonds, and postal savings books will no longer be included in the ISEE calculation. This change is expected to lower the ISEE value for many families, potentially resulting in increased Assegno Unico payments.
It is important to note that many beneficiaries may not receive the inflation adjustment arrears in their April payments. This is because the new amounts were officially announced in February, and the adjustments related to January 2025 have already been disbursed starting with the March payment.
The INPS has also introduced a simplified renewal process for the Assegno Unico. Beneficiaries do not need to reapply if they are already receiving the allowance; however, it is mandatory to update the new ISEE by February 28, 2025, to ensure accurate calculations of the payments.
As for the new payment management system, starting in 2025, payments will be processed through the Sistema Unico di Gestione Iban (SUGI). This system allows citizens or patronages to register their IBAN and use it for other INPS benefits.
The amount of the Assegno Unico is determined by several factors, including the ISEE of the family unit, the ages of the children, and specific circumstances. The allowance includes variable quotas and additional increases in particular cases, such as for larger families and families with disabled children.
For example, the maximum variable quota is €199.4 for each minor child with an ISEE of up to €17,090.61. Conversely, the minimum quota is €57 for each minor child with an ISEE of €45,574.96 or more, or in the absence of an ISEE.
In summary, while families await their Assegno Unico payments this April, they must navigate a few changes and potential delays due to the Easter holidays. With the promise of increased allowances and a simplified application process, these adjustments aim to provide better support for families in need.